Hand whirling toy



Jan. 3, 1967 A. J, PQJE 3295250 HAND WHIRLING 'roY Filed March 24, 1964 I NVENTOR.

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United States Patent O This invention relates generally to the art of toys and more particularly to toys of the hand-hold rotary or whirling type.

The device embodying the invention requires some skill and muscular coordination so as to appeal to children and adults of all ages, to provide amusement and to retain interest.

The device has a frame including a central shaft or pot from which radiate four L-shaped arms. The arms are spaced apart in position axially of the central shaft andare spaced apart 90 circurnferentally of the central shaft. Each arm has a radially eX-tending portion, and a free end portion parallel to the shaft. Pour cylindrical or conical` spools are provided to complete the device. The frame is held with the central shaft axially Vertical and gripped firmly in the hand. The player revolves the frame in a horizontal plane With free ends of the arms extendirig veitically upward. One spool at a time is placed upon each arm in succession and it begins to revolve eccentrically around its supporting arm. When all the spools are on the frame they revolve in coordination iriv planetary fashion, while the central shaft revolves continuously in a circie of small diameter. If the frame is tilted or revolved at non-uniform speed or otherwise unskillfully handled the spools will slide down the Vertical portions of the arms to the radially extending por'tions of the arms.

It is a principal object of the invention to provide a device which may serve as a toy, an exerciser, an instrument for physical therapy, an entertainment and amusemen-t device, an apparatus for teaching muscular coordination, and for allied purposes.

Another object is to provide a device of the character described including a frame having a central post or shaft with radially arranged L-shaped arms disposed in planes equiangularly spaced circumferentially of the shaft, and with conical or cylindrical spools rotatable on free ends of the arms while the frame is revolved in a horizontal plane A further object is to provide a new and novel rotary toy of simple and inexpensive construction which is both durable and safe for a child or adult of any a-ge to play with in a confined area, to learn balance and timing, and to acquire muscul'ar coordination.

Por further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and tothe appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 is |an exploded perspective view of the device, several of the spools being shown adjacent to the frame of the device.

PIG. 2 is a side elevational view on a reduced scale of the device in operation, part being broken away and some spools being omitted.

PIG. 3 is a top plan View ofthe device in active, operating condition shown on a further reduced scale.

PIG. 4 is a side elevational view similar to PIG. 2, the device being shown in inactive condition.

PIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to a part of PIG. 1, illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

Referring `to PGS. 1-4, the device lt includes a frame having a long, central shaft 11 formed by a cylindrical 3,2%,25d Fatented Jan. 3, 19W? rod. The lower end of the shaft is intended to serve as a handle and is shown grasped by the hand H of a player. The upper end 11' of the shaft serves ras a weight for a purpose to be described. Pour L-shaped arms 12-15 are carried by the shaft. Each arm has a radially eX- tending portion 16 attached to the shaft closer to the upper end of the shaft than to the bottom end. A free end portion 18 of each arm extends upwardiy parallel to the axis of the shaft 11 from the `outer end of each radial portion 16. All the radial arm portio-'ns 16 are of equal length and all the free upright end arm portions 18 are of equal length. The diameters of the arms which may be made of stiif wire are equal and smaller than the diameter of the rigid central shaft. The arms are disposed in four planes radiating ontwardly of the axis of shaft 11 and equally spaced apart. Thus the radia] arm portions 16 are spaced 90 apart circumferentially of the shaft 11. The arms portions 16 are secured to the shaft 11 by welding or other smoothly formed joint in positions spaced slightly apart axially of the sha-ft 11. Looking at the shaft 11 in FIG. 1, the arms 12-15 in clockwise rotation are secured in successively lower positions on shaft 11.

Four spools 2'il-23 are provided for Operating the device. Each of these spools is preferably a frusto-conical shell made of plastic, aluminum or other light Sheet material. The spools may be true right cylinders instead of being conical. It is desirable that the spools be made in different colors to heighten interest and attractiveness of the device. For proper operation the spools should all have the same axial length which will be slightly less than the length of radial arm portion 16 of each arm as shown in FIG. 4. The axial length of each spool will be slightly less than the length of the upright free end portion of each arm, as shown in PIG. 2. The maximum diameter of each conical spool should be slightly less than the length of the radial arm portion 16 of each arm as clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Preferably the maximum outside diameter of each spool should be about equal to its length.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, shaft 11 had a length of approximately eighteen inches and a diameter of app'roximately one-quarter of an inch. Each arm was made of wire having a diameter of one-eghth of an inch, with radial arm portion 16 about three inches long and free axial arm portion 18 about five inches long. Each spool had -a maximum outside diameter 'and an axial length of about two and three-quarter inches. Each arm portion 16 was spaced one-half inch from each adjacent arm `portion axially of shaft 11.

The inside corner C between the outer end of each radial arm portion 16 and upright arm portion 18 should be rounded to permit the spools to slide down the arms from the axially Vertical position of PIG. 2 to the axially horizontal position of PIG. 4, when the device is not being revolved or when the device is inexpertly operated. The spacinig of arm portions 16 axially of shaft 11 permits the four spools to slide down without interfering with each other into axially horizontal positions on the arms 12415. Each spool is then supported at a different axially horizontal position on its own arm so that each spool is clear of the others.

PIG. l shows a preferred way of Operating the device. The bottom end of the shaft is held on a stationary axis while the upper end of ythe shaft is revolved counterclock- Wise as viewed from above to describe a narrow inverted axially Vertical conical path P. The free Vertical ends 18 of the arms will simultaneously describe slightly conical or cylindrical counterclockwise paths P'. Each of the spools 29-23 in turn is placed upon the upright ends 18 of the arms. The spools are preferably placed -on the arms in rotation. Spool 20` is shown on the uppermost arm 12 and is revolving around the upright portion 18 of this arm. The inner side of the spool 23 touches the arm portion 18 while the body of the spool swings around the arm in counterclockwise path P as viewed from above. The player uses his other hand H' to place the second spool 21 upon the upright portion of arm 13. He moves the spool 21 axially downward until the bottom edge of the spool reaches the radial arm portion 16 of arm 13. Then he releases the spool 21 and this spool starts revolving around the upright portion of the arm. The other two spools 22 and 23 shown in FIG. 1 are awaiting placement on arms 14 and 15, respectively, of the device. Part of spool 23 is broken away in FIG. l to show the smooth interior of the spool.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the spools all revolving in planetary fashion on arms 12-15. Spools 21 and 23 are omitted from FIG. 2 to simplify the drawing, but are shown in FIG. 3. It will be noted that the arm portions 16 and upper end of shaft 11 all describe circular paths P, P' of equal -diameter in the same counterclockwise direction. The spools describe circular paths P" of equal diameter in counterclockwise directi-on. The upper end of the shaft 11 extending above the uppermost radial arm portion 16 of the uppermost arm 15 serves as a revolving weight or pendulum. The fully loaded and Operating device is in effect a revolving inverted pendulum. If the revolutions of the spools are all precisely coordinated, the player can keep them revolving continuously to provide a Very attractive, interesting, amusing and entertaining display.

If the player should fail to keep the shaft 11 revolving in an axially Vertical path P or should revolve the device at irregular, non-uniform speeds, the spools will slide down to axially horizontal positions on the radial arm portions 16 as shown in FIG. 4. If the player revolves the shaft inexpertly coordination of revolution of the spools will be lost and adjacent spools will strike each other as shown by the spool 21 in dotted lines in FIG. 3 intersecting the path of and striking adjacent spool 22. The two colliding spools will then slip or slide down on the radial portions of their supporting arms.

The proper operation of the device and aim of the player should be to keep all four spools revolving centrifugally continuously around the upright arm portions 18. If any spool slides down on a radial arm portion 16, operation of the device should be stopped and all the spools should be removed to start operation again as indicated in FIG. 1.

In FIG. 5, the frame of the device 10a is the same as in device 10 of FIGS. 1-4. A short tube 30 is frictionally engaged on the upper end 11' of shaft 11 and is slidable axially so that it can be adjustably positioned on the end 11' of the shaft. The tube 30 will normally remain in any position in which it is set unless it is forcefully moved axially of the shaft end 11'. The tube 30 serves to Vary the center of gravity of shaft 11 when the tube is moved to different positions. This requires the player to accommodate skillfully to change in the center of gravity of the shaft in whirling the spools on the arms 12-15. By moving the tube to different positions Variations are introduced which increase interest in Operating `the device. The tube 30 can, of course, be removed if desired.

The device can be rnanufactured very inexpensively. The frame can be made of metal or plastic material, and the spools can be made of metal, plastic, cardboard, etc. The `conical spools can be nested one within the other to 'occupy Very small storage space.

While I have illustrated and described the pi'eferred 'embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that `I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A skill and coordination device, comprising a frame including an elongated straight cylindrical shaft, four L-shaped Wire arms disposed in planes radially arranged around said shaft and spaced apart, each of said arms having an arm portion extending radially outward from said shaft and having a free end portion axially parallel to said shaft; and four generally cylindrical Shell-like members open at opposite ends revolvable respectively around the free end portions of said arms above the radial portions of the arms while said shaft is held axially Vertical and revolved in a substantially horizontal plane, the radial arm portions being secured to the shaft at positions spaced from one end of the shaft so that said one end of the shaft serves as a Weight of an inverted axially Vertical pendulum while the other end of the shaft serves as a handle for revolving the same.

2. A skill and coordination device, comprising a frame including an elongated straight cylindrical shaft, four L- shaped wire arms disposed in planes radially arranged around said shaft and spaced 90 apart, each of said arms having an arm portion extending radially outward from said shaft and having a free end portion axially parallel to said shaft; and four generally cylindrical Shell-like members open at opposite ends revolvable respectively around the free end portions of said arms above the radial portions 'of the arms while said shaft is held axially vertical and revolved in a substantially horizontal plane, the radial arm portions being secured to the shaft at positions spaced from one end of the shaft so that said one end of the shaft serves as a weight of an inverted axially Vertical pendulum while the other end of the shaft serves as a handle for lrevolving the same, the inside corner joining the outer end of each radial arm portion with the free arm portion being curved to permit each of said members to slide down an arm from the free end portion to the radial ar-m portion.

3. A skill and coordination device, comprising a frame including an elongated straight cylindrical shaft, a plurality of L-shaped arms disposed in planes radially arranged around said shaft and spaced equiangularly apart circumferentially of said shaft, each of said arms having an arm portion extending radially outward of said shaft and having a free end portion axially parallel to said shaft for supporting a hollow cylindrical member while said member revolves around said free end portion of the arm, the radial arm portions being secured to the shaft at positions spaced from one end of the shaft so that said one end of the shaft serves as a weight of an inverted aXially Vertical pendulum while the other end of the shaft serves as a handle for revolving the same, the inside corner' joining the outer end of each radial arm portion with the free arm portion being curved to permit each of said members to slide down an arm from the free end portion to the radial arm portion, the free end portion of each arm being slightly longer than the radial arm portion, and a plurality of generally cylindrical Shell-like members open at opposite ends and revolvable respectively around the free end portions of said arms above the radial portions of the arms while said shaft is held axially Vertical and revolved in a substantially horizontal plane.

4. A skill and coordination device, comprising a frame including an elongated straight cylindrical shaft, four L- shaped wire arms disposed in planes radially arranged around said shaft and spaced 90 apart, each of said arms having an arm portion extending radially outward from said shaft and having a free end portion axially parallel to said shaft; and four generally cylindrical Shell-like members open at opposite ends revolvable respectively around the free end portions of said arms above the radial portions of the arms while said shaft is held axially Vertical and revolved in a substantially horizontal plane, the radial arm portions being secured to the shaft at positions spaced from one end of the shaft so that said one end of the shaft serves as a weight of an inverted axially Vertical pendulum while the other end of the shaft serves as a handle for revolving the same, the inside corner joining the outer end of each radial arrn portion With the free arm porton being curved to permit each of said members to slide down an arm from the free end portion to the radial arm portion, each of said cylindrical members having an axial length approximately equal to its external diameter and slightly shorter than the length of the radial arm portion of each arrn, the free end portion of each arm being slightly longer than the radial arm portion and longer than the axial length of each cylindrical member, so that each cylindrical member revolves between opposite ends of a free end portion of each of the arms, and a tubular member frictionally fitted on said one end of the shaft vand slidable aXially of the shaft for varying the center of gravity of the shaft to introduce variations in operation of the device.

References Cited by the Examlner UNITED STATES PATENTS RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Exa'mner.

DELBERT B. LOWE, Exmnner.

R. F. CUTTING, Assistant Examner. 

1. A SKILL AND COORDINATION DEVICE, COMPRISING A FRAME INCLUDING AN ELONGATED STRAIGHT CYLINDRICAL SHAFT, FOUR L-SHAPED WIRE ARMS DISPOSED IN PLANES RADIALLY ARRANGED AROUND SAID SHAFT AND SPACED 90* APART, EACH OF SAID ARMS HAVING AN ARM PORTION EXTENDING RADIALLY OUTWARD FROM SAID SHAFT AND HAVING A FREE END PORTION AXIALLY PARALLEL TO SAID SHAFT; AND FOUR GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL SHELL-LIKE MEMBERS OPEN AT OPPOSITE ENDS REVOLVABLE RESPECTIVELY AROUND THE FREE END PORTIONS OF SAID ARMS ABOVE THE RADIAL PORTIONS OF THE ARMS WHILE SAID SHAFT IS HELD AXIALLY VERTICAL AND REVOLVED IN A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL PLANE, THE RADIAL ARM PORTIONS BEING SECURED TO THE SHAFT AT POSITIONS SPACED FROM ONE END OF THE SHAFT SO THAT SAID ONE END OF THE SHAFT SERVES AS A WEIGHT OF AN INVERTED AXIALLY VERTICAL PENDULUM WHILE THE OTHER END OF THE SHAFT SERVES AS A HANDLE FOR REVOLVING THE SAME. 